Iranian Midwives Protest Hiring Proposal By Health Ministry

Following a Ministry of Health proposal to engage midwives as nurses in hospitals, Iranian midwives staged a demonstration in from of the ministry building. The Etemad daily reports that demonstrators gathered holding banners that denounced the ministry proposal.

Midwives say the health system is denying women the possibility of having their children with midwives, which they maintain is a disservice to women.

One of the midwives told Etemad that the unnecessary rise in caesarian sections has reduced the demand for midwives. Midwives say, however, that the shortage of nurses shows a lack of respect for their contribution to the system, which drives them to gravitate more toward administrative positions.

The ministry is reportedly proposing a one-year training period after which midwives could be hired as nurses.